Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed Beef

Source: http://geograph.org.uk

My goal is to help you understand the differences between the labels found on beef.  I have watched people at the grocery store with a dazed look in their eye trying to figure out what to buy.  With so many choices and prices to consider, consumers almost need a PhD in food science to successfully make a trip through the meat department at the grocery store.


Grass-fed vs. Grain-fed
There was a time when beef cattle ate mostly grass and were slaughtered around the age of 4 or 5. Now cattle begin their life at a weight of about 80 pounds and are forced to a weight of 1,200 pounds by the age of 12-13 months.  This is done by feeding a diet of corn along with soy-based protein supplements and possibly antibiotics and growth hormones. Grass-fed cattle are fed mainly grass and switch over to hay and alfalfa in the winter months. They are typically slaughtered at an age of 18-24 months.  They are not given any supplements, hormones, or antibiotics unless they are sick.

Source: http://animalcorner.co.uk

Digestion is often compromised in grain-fed cattle. Cattle are ruminants, which means they have a stomach with 4 compartments, have micro-organisms in their digestive system to ferment plant-based food, and they chew cud.  They are designed to eat fibrous grasses and plants, not starchy, low-fiber grains.  One of the problems that may occur is called "bloat". The largest part of the stomach is called the rumen and this is where fermentation occurs resulting in gas that the cow releases.  If the diet consists of too much starch and not enough fiber, the gas gets trapped and can actually cause the cow to suffocate.  Another problem with a grain diet is acidosis.  The cow's stomach is designed to have a neutral pH.  When too much starchy grain is consumed, the stomach becomes more acidic which then favors the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli 0157:H7.  

What about the nutritional differences?  Due to the diet and optimal digestion in grass-fed cattle, there are several nutritional benefits.  

• Lower amounts of overall fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
• Higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids
• Higher amounts of vitamins A and E
• Higher amounts of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)

Grain-fed beef has some benefits as well.  The most obvious is the price.  Grass-fed beef can vary in price from $7-15 per pound.  Grain-fed beef is generally less expensive.  Another benefit is that grain-fed beef tastes better and is more tender.  Cattle that are fed grass generally move around more and have better muscle tone, which results in a chewier meat.


Organic
Beef that is labeled "organic" is free from growth hormones and antibiotics. Organic cattle are fed grains that are grown organically. They are still prone to the same digestive issues as cattle that are fed non-organic corn.  Also note that unless grass-fed beef is also labeled as "organic", assume the animals are grazing on grass that is treated with fertilizers.  


Natural
The USDA defines natural beef as "a product containing no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed."  The product may still contain growth hormones, antibiotics or other similar chemicals.  

Other Concerns
I have given you the science behind the choices, but there are environmental concerns, too. Whether cattle is raised on corn or grass, there are environmental consequences.  In regards to global warming, cattle contribute methane gases to the environment from the gas they expel during digestion along with nitrous oxide from their manure.  It takes a large amount of grassland to feed cattle, which can lead to issues of deforestation.  Finally, grain-fed cattle require large amounts of corn, which is grown with chemical fertilizers adding to environmental problems.

Making a Decision
As you can see, there is a lot to consider in choosing a type of beef.  It's a personal preference, but one best made as an educated decision.  My personal choice is to buy organic grass-fed beef in limited quantities.  I usually serve it to my family at most once every 1-2 weeks.  I also try to limit beef as a main course.  For example, I will make a stir-fry with beef and load it up with vegetables and serve it over brown rice.  

After reading this article, you may even decide that you don't want to eat beef at all!

Sources:

http://foodrevolution.org
http://authoritynutrition.com
http://nrdc.org
http://usda.org
http://animalscience.tamu.edu